6 Places with the Best Swim Lessons in Winnipeg
Swimming is not only a fancy hobby to tick off your list, but a necessary skill for survival. After all, Winnipeg is close to some of the greatest lakes on the continent and you may find yourself swimming or sailing in one of these lakes during an out-of-town vacation or trip one day.
So, if you’re looking for a way to learn this skill, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled the top schools with the best swim lessons in Winnipeg right here!
Be sure to read until the end because we’ve also listed some FAQs about swimming lessons that you may find useful. But before anything else, we’ll first share with you the standards we used to find the top schools.
What to Find in a Swimming School
In finding a swimming school, you first have to find those with impressive instructor qualifications. Make sure that they only hire instructors with sufficient knowledge and high-level certifications.
Additionally, you have to get instructors with good pedagogy skills, especially if you plan on enrolling your child in their swim lessons. Instructors with the perfect balance of assertiveness and compassion are helpful for students who want to push themselves without risking their lives.
The third factor you should consider is how big the classes are. Smaller class sizes not only provide students with the attention they need but also ensure safety.
Facilities are also another criteria because let’s be honest, who would want to swim around in an unclean pool? Make sure their changing rooms are also sanitary.
How Much Do Swim Lessons Cost
Swimming lessons can cost you a lot because you’ll be paying for your instructor’s fee and even some swimming gear. Here are some of the expenses to prepare you for your lesson.
| Expenses | Average Costs |
| Individual lessons | $20-$60 per hour |
| Group lessons | $15-$50 per hour |
| Swim caps | $6-$20 |
| Goggles | $8-$35 |
| Swimwear | $18-$70 |
| Kickboard | $10-$30 |
Where to Get the Best Swim Lessons in Winnipeg
Now that you’re informed about the costs and considerations for your swimming lessons, it’s time you learned about where to get quality swim lessons. Check out our list below that’s filled with only the most accessible and qualified swim training facilities in the city.
1. Pan Am Pool
| BEST FOR | Diversity of amenities |
| SERVICES | Group swim classes |
| WEBSITE | https://winnipeg.ca/cms/recreation/facilities/pools/indoor_pools/pan_am.stm |
| ADDRESS | 25 Poseidon Bay, Winnipeg, MB R3M 3E4 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 877-311-4974 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM Saturday: All day Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Pan Am Pool is one of the city’s recreation centres that’s open not only for leisure, but also for swimming lessons. This centre has three pools so anyone can enjoy swimming, no matter the age and height.
Its pools have diving boards and diving towers for competitive swimmers. Additionally, Pan Am Pool also hosts hydro activities such as water polo, diving, and synchronised swimming for regional to international events.
The recreation centre is even open for group and party reservations. As a public space, Pan Am Pool also has a weight room, aerobic studio, and a jogging area as part of its land fitness programs.
Pros
- 3 swimming pools
- Affordable swimming lessons and admission
- Availability of diving boards and towers
- Variety of amenities
Cons
- List of available pools is not updated regularly on the site
- Poor interior floor plan
Customer Reviews
Here are some customer reviews to tell you more about what you can experience at Pan Am Pool:
“We enjoy this pool so much. The change rooms are big and we can bring our own locks. There are a lot of things to do during public swimming (diving boards, floating island toys, kiddie pool slide, balls, etc) and many options for registered programs (synchronised swimming, water polo, speed swimming, diving, swimming lessons, etc). The parking is decent but during meets and competitions it can be hard to find a spot.”Diane Kroeker
“Nice and clean water here at pan am. It was recently renovated and they have pool for every age group. Even they provide swimming class to young and adults. Overall it was a nice experience and very friendly staff. Will come back again and again.”Zaheer Maknojia
2. Rady JCC Fitness Centre
| BEST FOR | Saltwater pool |
| SERVICES | Group and private swimming lessons |
| WEBSITE | https://www.radyjcc.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 123 Doncaster St, Winnipeg, MB R3N 2B3 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (204) 477-7510 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Rady JCC Fitness Centre offers private classes and group lessons to cater to Winnipeggers with any type of learning style. This 54,000 sq ft facility has a gym with state-of-the-art equipment, indoor jogging track, basketball courts, and multi-purpose rooms.
With these facilities, Rady JCC can also host birthday parties and free group fitness classes. The most unique thing about this fitness centre is that it also has a saltwater pool, so students can simulate the experience of swimming outdoors while still staying safe indoors.
This fitness centre also has premium memberships not only for individuals but also for all types of families.
Pros
- Saltwater indoor pool
- Family and individual memberships
- Variety of amenities
Cons
- Not the best customer services
Customer Reviews
Read these reviews to learn more about why customers feel the best swim lessons in Winnipeg are from Rady JCC:
“Excellent place for swimming lessons. Kind and knowledgeable staff/instructors. Changerooms are carpeted, clean, and offer free lockers and amenities like hand hair driers, private change stalls, and private showers if desired.”Jean Berg
“A membership at the RadyJCC feels like a membership at a high-end fitness club without the high-end price. I rarely have to wait for a machine and the variety of classes offered is incredible. The change room facilities are always so clean and never crowded. The pool is a great temperature and having the café in the faculty is very useful for our busy family!”Jody Sie
3. Margaret Grant Pool
| BEST FOR | Kids swimming lessons |
| SERVICES | Group swimming lessons |
| WEBSITE | https://www.winnipeg.ca/cms/recreation/facilities/pools/indoor_pools/margaret_grant.stm |
| ADDRESS | 685 Dalhousie Dr, Winnipeg, MB R3T 3Y2, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (877) 311-4974 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 8:30 PM Saturday: 12:30 PM – 8:30 PM Sunday: 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
If you’re looking for a simple way to take swim lessons in Winnipeg, then maybe Margaret Grant Pool is the fitting choice for you. This pool facility is known for having friendly teachers who are perfect for little kids.
This is also another government-run recreation centre that’s perfect for gatherings. But even if many people visit this facility, Margaret Grant Pool’s amenities are always clean and warm for everyone.
Once your kids learn to swim, you can also take them to this recreation facility for a fun day out because Margaret Grant Pool also has kiddie slides! Margaret Grant Pool is also available for event bookings.
Pros
- Friendly instructors
- Kiddie pools
- Some of the warmest pools in the city
- Event bookings
Cons
- Small changing rooms
Customer Reviews
Read these reviews to know what regular goers like about Margaret Grant Pool’s amenities:
“Smaller facility, but very clean and super friendly instructors and deck supervisors. Would highly recommend for kids swimming lessons. 5 stars!”Chris D
“A very nice pool. They don’t have a lot of “fun” stuff but it is great for lessons. The swimming teachers are very young but very nice kids. The bathrooms and change rooms are all updated and very clean. Though I wish the change rooms were a little larger. It can get full when there are 10 other mom’s in there with multiple kids! And I hear the men’s change room is much smaller! But great little pool. There is a very nice playground and also tennis courts.”Jim & Tara Mathew
4. Aqua Essence Swim Academy
| BEST FOR | Number of instructors |
| SERVICES | Group and private swimming lessons, lifesaving swimming courses, birthday programs |
| WEBSITE | https://www.aquaessence.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 1416 Mathers Bay E, Winnipeg, MB R3M 2J9 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (204) 275-2782 office@aquaessence.ca |
Aqua Essence markets itself as the leading swimming school in Winnipeg, offering its lessons to seniors and infants alike. It has over 40 instructors to provide maximum attention to each of its students.
To provide the best swim lessons in Winnipeg, Aqua Essence matches each student with the right instructor. It even has lifesaving courses so students can make swimming an essential skill.
Aside from swim lessons, it also offers a birthday package that’s good enough for 2 hours with 16 kids. With this birthday package, you can rent a pool and two of Aqua Essence’s instructors will be there to teach and entertain your visitors.
Pros
- Swimming birthday package
- Lifesaving courses
- Numerous instructors for personalized lessons
- Available for online classes
Cons
- Some complaints about instructor availability
Customer Reviews
With its personalized classes, Aqua Essence has gained a loyal following from numerous Winnipeggers, including those who wrote these reviews:
“Such a positive experience. My son LOVED it. The instructors are absolute gems (shout out to Annika and Sam K!). Can’t get over how much he learnt in such a short space of time. And now he’s hooked on swimming! Worth it.”Nadia Kidwai
“We have been with Aqua Essence for about 6 years now. They have been very accommodating and our children’s swimming confidence grows rapidly and constantly. The teachers are incredible and work very hard at building relationship with each student and challenge them (we have 5 children in lessons). We have some favourite instructors for sure, just the way they connect and are assertive in a gentle way with our children, but all of our children’s instructors have been good at teaching”Tina Kirschner
5. Swim With Me Foundation
| BEST FOR | Diversity of amenities |
| SERVICES | Adult and kid swim classes |
| WEBSITE | https://swimwithme.org/ |
| ADDRESS | Winnipeg, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: 204-694-SWIM (7946) Email: info@swimwithme.org |
| OPERATING HOURS | Contact them for more information |
At Swim With Me Foundation, we were impressed by their comprehensive swimming lessons, catering to learners of all ages and skill levels. Our experience with them was marked by efficiency, as they effectively organized classes and provided individualized attention to each participant.
The quality of instruction at Swim With Me Foundation was outstanding, with experienced instructors who were patient, encouraging, and skilled at teaching swimming techniques. We noticed significant improvement in our swimming abilities after just a few lessons with them.
Despite the high quality of their services, Swim With Me Foundation offered affordable pricing options, making swimming lessons accessible to families of varying financial backgrounds. We appreciated their commitment to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn how to swim in a safe and supportive environment.
Overall, our experience with Swim With Me Foundation was exceptional, and we would highly recommend their swimming lessons to anyone looking to improve their skills in the water. Our confidence in their professionalism, efficient instruction, high-quality teaching, and affordability solidified our trust in their program.
Pros
- Swim in a ration of 4 participants to 1 instructor
- Lifesaving courses
- Provides free swimming lessons and water safety programs to those who do not have access, those who are new to our country and those who simply can’t afford the price tag
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Full due to popularity so book ahead of time
6. Benchmark Swim Academy
| BEST FOR | Variety of services |
| SERVICES | Group, semi-private and semi-private swim lessons, tutoring services, lifesaving water safety classes, first aid and babysitting course |
| PRICING | Group: $11.50-$13.50/30 minutes Semi-private: $17.50/30 minutes Private:$27.50/30 minutes |
| WEBSITE | https://www.benchmarkswimminglessons.com/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (204) 898-5122 benchmarkswimming@gmail.com |
Benchmark Swim Academy started in 2013 with a small following and only one instructor. Now, it has grown to become one of Winnipeg’s most recommended swim academies with six instructors and hundreds of Manitoban swimming students every year.
It provides specialized group and semi-private lessons by assessing the age and adaptability of the students. This swim school also conducts most of its classes on public pools for accessibility.
Aside from swim lessons, Benchmark Swim Academy also offers courses on water safety, lifesaving, first aid, and even babysitting. All of these services make this swimming school versatile and accessible for many types of learners.
Pros
- Assessment for age and adaptability
- Variety of swimming lessons offered
- Accessible venues for group lessons
- Three choices for classes
Cons
- Relatively fewer instructors
Customer Reviews
Read these reviews to know what parents and children admire about Benchmark Swim Academy:
“Top notch swim instruction. My children have fun and look forward to each class. They learn a ton and make great progress every session. Instructors are professional, encouraging, and engaging.”Jenifer Donachuk
“Instructors take great care in teaching the children and owner is very friendly. My son loved the lessons with Emily. Going back for level 3 now.”
Frequently Asked Questions
And that concludes our list of where you can get the best swim lessons in Winnipeg. All you have to do now is find the time for your lessons, buy swimwear and the proper gear, and then you’ll be ready to go!
If you’re feeling pain after swimming, by the way, you may be doing the wrong warm-ups and exercise the wrong way. To address such issues, try visiting any of the best physiotherapy clinics in Winnipeg to help you with your physique.